Norway keen to explore collaboration possibilities with Gujarat

Norway is exploring ties with Gujarat in the field of
ports, shipping, green energy, sea-food, chemicals and petrochemicals sectors
and education as well.

During the discussion Ann Ollestead, Consulate General
of Norway had in Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry she was visiting,
Ollestad expressed the view that Norway would explore the collaboration
possibilities with Gujarat.

“An industry delegation from Norway will meet business
delegates from Gujarat by the end of April to explore collaboration
possibilities,” said Ollestad.

The
Scandinavian country can also offer a lot to a state with a 1,600-km long
coastline in the marine sector, she said. “Waste and environment are high
priorities for both the countries and Smart City initiative gives us an
opportunity to enter into waste management business. Also, Gujarat is a state
with long sea coast, so there is a huge potential for green shipping and
coastal shipping,” Ollestad said adding that surveillance over coastal lines,
as well as tackling pollution like oil spills and microplastics in the ocean
and electrification of ports through renewable energy offer us huge business opportunity
in the state.

Norway is also seeking to join hands with higher
educational institutes in the country, including Indian Institute of Management
(IIM-A) for student exchange and other opportunities of skill development.

GCCI will facilitate meetings between business
delegates from Norway and Gujarat.

She said that Norway can offer a lot to the state in
the maritime sector, including in the fields of seafood, green technology,
shipping and shipbreaking, as well as in the areas of creating bio-fuel.

GCCI president Shailesh Patwari said that Gujarat
industry can also explore possibilities of tie-ups in the areas of chemical and
pharmaceuticals. “We will convert this meeting into an opportunity. The state
government here is business friendly and has taken a number of financial and infrastructural
initiatives for the industry. Chemical and pharmaceuticals are areas in which
we see tie-ups,” he said.

Norway is also seeking to
join hands with higher educational institutes in the country.